MONEY
MATTERS
Currency & Foreign Exchange
The currency is South African
Rand (ZAR). One rand ® is
equal to 100 cents ©. Notes
are issued in the following denominations:
R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10.
Coins: R5, R2, R1, 50c, 2c and
1c. Foreign currency may be exchanged
at any commercial bank, American
Express, Thomas Cook, Rennies
and Foreign Exchange or Diners
Club International office. Automatic
teller machines (ATMs) are to
be found in the central business
districts and accept international
bank and credit cards.
Credit Cards
South Africa has a modern and
sophisticated banking and commercial
system and most shops and hotels
will accept credit cards and traveller's
cheques.
Tipping
Many waiters and waitresses are
students who rely on tips to supplement
their wages. The accepted average
is 10 - 15% to all caddies, taxi
drivers, chambermaids, stewards,
waiters and tour guides. A tip
of R2 to R3 per piece of luggage
is acceptable to porters in hotels
and airports.
VAT (Value Added Tax)
South Africa has adopted a Value
Added Tax system of 14 % on all
goods, services, meals, accommodation,
etc. If you are a foreign visitor
to South Africa, you can reclaim
your VAT on purchases if you've
spent more than R250 on items
you're taking out of the country.
Go to the VAT office at the Airport
International Departures Hall.
You'll need your original tax
invoices and your passport, fill
in a form and have the goods you
bought available for inspection.
The banks in the Departure Lounge
will give you your refund in your
home currency.
BUSINESS
HOURS
Banking Hours
Most banks are open between 09h00
and 15h30 daily and Saturdays
between 08h30 to 11h00, although
some are open from 08h30 to 16h30.
Small town branches often close
between 13h00 and 14h00.
Trading Hours
General shopping hours are 08h30
to 17h30 on weekdays and 08h00
to 13h00 on Saturdays. There are
no major big shopping malls in
the Overberg. The nearest shopping
mall is Somerset Mall, located
in Somerset West, next to the
N2.
Several 'cafes' (convenience shops)
are open at 07h00 or earlier and
remain open until late, open 7
days a week. There are 24-hour
express shops found at many larger
petrol stations.
COMMUNICATIONS
· Visitors can hire a
cell-phone (mobile phone) at the
airport or at any MTN or VODAGO
cellular shops.
· Blue public phones work
on coins (20c, 50c and R1 coins
are best) while green public phones
work on local Telkom phone cards,
which you can purchase in a variety
of shops and post offices. Telephones
are fully automatic with direct
dialing to most countries.
· Post Offices are remarkably
inexpensive. Currently for R2.10
you can send a postcard to Europe
or the United States. Letters
cost R3.00 for a standard envelope
up to 50g in weight.
· Internet access, courier
and fax facilities, postage stamps,
stationary, public telephones
and other communications services
are also available from Internet
cafes and commercial Post Net
shops.
HEALTH
WISE
Visitors are advised to obtain
medical insurance prior to leaving
their country of origin, as visitors
are responsible for their own
medical needs. There are first-rate
medical and dental facilities
in the Overberg. Charges are very
reasonable by international standards.
Hospitalisation is generally arranged
through medical practitioners,
although visitors may phone or
go directly to a hospital casualty
section, in the case of an emergency.
Ambulance services may be reached
on the emergency number 10177.
PUBLIC
HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day 1 Jan
Human Rights Day 21 Mar
Good Friday 13 Apr
Family Day 16 Apr
Freedom Day 27 Apr
Workers Day 1 May
Youth Day 16 Jun
Nat Women's Day 9 Aug
Heritage Day 24 Sep
Day of Reconciliation 16 Dec
Christmas Day 25 Dec
When a public holiday falls
on a Sunday, the following Monday
is regarded as a public holiday.
